If you have limited time to play games (and who doesn’t?), the rest of August is going to be a pretty tough month for you. There are a lot of games still set to be released this month, and they’ll be battling for your money and attention not only with one another, but also with some of the excellent releases from weeks past, such as Splatoon 2.
With that in mind, here’s our list of what we’re most excited about — may it be of help to you in planning your gaming schedule for the weeks ahead.
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
One of the big hits at E3 this year, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle brings us something we didn’t know we’ve always desperately needed: XCOM-style turn-based tactical action in Mario and Raving Rabbids crossover universe.
You’ll join “Mario, Rabbid Peach and Rabbid Luigi on an epic quest to save their friends and put the Mushroom Kingdom back in order”, according to the official description. It looks and sounds incredibly insane and incredibly fun, and hopefully turns out to be another system seller for the Switch.
Platform: Switch
Release Date: August 29
Starcraft: Remastered
Get ready to revel in nostalgia — or find out what all the fuss was about almost 20 years ago — as the original Starcraft gets a remaster for the ultra-HD age. It’s not just the graphics that have been updated; all the audio has been re-recorded, so the “Carrier has arrived!” announcements should sound better than ever.
Starcraft: Remastered also comes with more modern enhancements such as improved multiplayer and social integration. It will also allow you to switch between the remastered and old graphics, just in case you feel like going truly old-school.
Platform: Windows, MacOS
Release Date: August 14
Sonic Mania
Another one for nostalgia fans, but if it’s the return to form that Sonic has needed for the last two decades, then it may just turn a new generation of gamers into fans of the speed-loving blue hedgehog.
Sonic Mania sees a return to the series’ 2D side-scrolling roots, instead of another ill-fated attempt at “updating” the gameplay. That’s all we’ve been asking for all these years: a game that lets Sonic do what he’s best at. For the first time in ages the developers seem to realise what that is, and we hope they give us the Sonic game that players, and Sega’s formerly iconic mascot, deserve.
Platform: Windows, PS4, Switch, Xbox One
Release Date: August 15
F1 2017
Think that Max Verstappen should be in the title hunt this year instead of just Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton? Once again Codemasters will give you the chance to prove your racing mettle in what is surely the best-looking Formula 1 game yet.
This year’s edition comes with a bunch of changes to how you manage your career and team, a batch of iconic classic Formula One cars, and even greater realism in the form of component wear.
Some years Codemasters has managed to nail the handling better than in others; here’s hoping 2017 will be one of the good years. If it is, this could just be the F1 game that takes the title of best of all time.
Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, Windows
Release Date: August 25
